It's been so long.

Okay, so I have no idea what to say, except that facebook is so damn fun that I forgot about my blog. I started writing this as a way for my kids to see what a wacky mom they have. Then it kind of became a journal. I got alot out that first year and it was good for me.

This year so far has been pretty fun. In January, we found out that friends we had met on facebook were going to be in our area. It turns out Bill Mueller had a training thing for his job and it was right here in Roswell. He came first and then his wife, Terry, came a couple days later. We had a blast. I was really sorry to see them go at the end of the week. We introduced them to Doctor Who and they introduced us to Coupling. I took Terry all over Roswell, TiVo fell in love with Bill, and then, on Friday, Bill and Terry took us out to a fab dinner at Relish, along with 2 more facebook friends who live here in town, Loren and Tracy Peters (I went to high school with Loren). We had a really good time for 4 people who had never previously met in person. Oh, and we all survived (several friends of mine thought we were insane to invite facebook friends over...I mean what if they killed us). And here is proof that it all went well (Oh, and I now I have to figure out how I am going to get my ass to Illinois where they live.)


I met MUSE, my favorite band in the world and they were such nice guys. It is so awesome to meet people you admire so much and they turn out to be great. They could have been jerks...but they were not. Matt Bellamy, the lead singer, couldn't believe that Andrew was my kid. As if I didn't love Matt enough, I got a compliment. What a cool guy. Thanks to my Hunny and his friend Mike Greene, I got to see the most amazing concert of my life AND got to meet the band too. We chatted with them back stage for about 15 minutes. It was just the 4 of us, Robert, me, Andrew and his longtime pal, Claire. The latter two were virtually hyperventilating at meeting those Rock GODs...and it was adorable to see.
Robert finally got out of for-profit corporate life. A huge prayer was answered and he is now the managing director for internet & new media for the American Cancer Society. It's more a prestige position than a monied position...as most non-profits are. But, we can still stay in our house (we had it for sale for a 4 months) and he is doing something that matters. And that is what we have prayed for for so long. Robert is an amazing husband and stand up guy. He wants to take care of this family as sole provider, so I can be the hand that rocks the cradle at home, but he always wanted to get paid to do something that made a huge positive impact on those around him. So, here's a shout out to the big man upstairs...Thank you, GOD, for making this all happen!!!

Now, I am thinking of adding a new puppy to the mix. Before that happens I have to re-home our 3 cats. It's not something I want to do, but no one pays any attention to them, or takes care of them anymore and it sucks. I change their litter and feed them, but I am the primary carer of the dog, so I am in and out of the cats business pretty quickly. I love Toonces the most, will miss him desperately, but the cats were for the kids. They are growing up and don't care. Everyone loves TiVo and it's not hard to understand why. He is awesome, and loving and interacts with everyone. The cats interact on their terms...whenever that is. And those 3 fluffy idiots could have become friends with TiVo, but they would have nothing to do with him and now that he is big they are afraid of him. I'm kind of sick of living in the Gaza strip of my own home. There are zones for the cats and the dog and it's gotten really old. Before anyone gives me any crap, understand, I wouldn't give away a kid. These are animals. If they are not happy, I believe I should help them to be so. I love all animals....I really do. But when it comes down to brass tax I am a dog girl. I love walking TiVo, I love taking him to the dog park. I love all the social interaction he brings to me. I am an extrovert...and I believe cats are for introverts. NO judgement, just a statement. I drive around with TiVo all day. He comes with me everywhere. I can't take my cats anywhere. Anyway, that's what going on there.
On the spirituality front, the last year has been weird. Right now I am in a good place and am praying it sticks. I have gone through a lot of so called 'atheist phases' and I don't like them. They are very dark and dry and lonely...a great breeding ground for anger and selfishness. Sometimes life does seem pointless. I told Robert recently that it (life) seems like a giant hamster wheel we get on and have to keep running on and we only get to get off when we die. Translate that into me feeling exhausted...and bored. I need new things to shake me up.

Lately, I have re-committed myself to caring for myself and losing the few pounds I put on, over the last few months, this after having lost over 30 pounds. How easy it is to slip off the saddle. Luckily, it was less than 10lbs, 5 of which are gone...so I am on track. I am feeling so much better. It's not fun getting out of control and feeling that you can't seem to help yourself. I am happy to be back in the saddle and taking it day by day to stay there.

The kids are all doing really well. Autumn has been in a really cool homeschool co-op this year and the time off (for me) and added social interaction for her has been fabulous. Next month she has a jazz recital...they are dancing to All That Jazz from Chicago and should be adorable. Here is Autumn with the girl half of the her co op, there are 3 boys in it too.

Ben is almost done with his 7th grade year at the Cottage School and boy howdy do I love that place and everything it's done for our boy. Ben is really doing so much better this year, on all fronts, than he has in the past. I have high hopes that things are going to continue to change for the better, for 'the Bendamin'. Oh, and Ben's braces finally came off...look how handsome.

Andrew, my handsome vulcan son, is still working at Trader Joe's...almost 2 years. I am so pround of him. He has just a couple weeks left and will be done with his sophmore year at Georgia State. He is still living at home (which I love) and still plugging away at his post-rock band, Absence of Ocean. He has taught himself how to play guitar and writes alot of songs. All in all, he's pretty damn cool. I love him to bits...just wish he were a little more chatty....how is he my kid??? I mean, he looks just like me so I know he is mine....but talk about opposite. One great thing is that Andrew will be 21 in 6 months and then I can send him on booze runs for me and Robert....woo hoo!! LOL Below is Andrew's shocked, "I just met Muse" face.
I think I am gonna go bake something yummy now. I am off wheat again, due to allergies. I am thinking this time I should stay off of it for good, but we'll see. Wheat definitely bothers me most in Spring and Summer as it causes my eczema to flare. I have been off of it over a week now and my hand eczema is almost healed. You know what else is weird...I swear I am addicted to wheat. When I am not eating it, I don't have the insane food cravings I normally do...the very same cravings that got me into trouble gaining almost 10 pounds back of the 30 I lost. I wonder if there is something too that? All I know is that in 2 or 3 days time my hands will look and feel normal again and that is worth everything. Besides, I made a KILLER gluten free version of my favorite cake 'Tres Leches' and it soooooo frickin good, I dare anyone to guess it's not made with wheat flour.

Oh yeah, how could I forget a really cool thing...we now have a Keurig One Cup coffee making system and it is the coolest thing in the universe...and yes, I have even seen and played with the iPad. But really great coffee (which I don't need to roast, or grind or measure or brew) in a minute is freaking awesome when you are as addicted to the substance as I am!! My birthday is coming up this Thursday, the 29th. I love K-Cups...send me some!! ;-)


Later,
Rach

My Hunny sums it up quite nicely

Here is a bit of what has happened with Ben's first week at school. My husband's post does not cover the epic meltdown Ben had, this morning, on day 4 of school.  He was crying and screaming and was NOT going to go to school. He decided that he would be homeschooled (not a good idea for Ben or for mommy!!) and so would not get ready to go. I had to get, Walter, his homeroom teacher, on the phone.  At Ben's school students, parents and teachers are all on a first name basis. Also, one's child's homeroom teacher is also available by cell phone until about 9pm.  Yes, it is a VERY cool place.  So, we get Walter on the phone and he has a brief chat with Ben and then Ben hands the phone back to me...a bit calmer. Walter then tells me that he let Ben know that tomorrow is Free Friday (this school also only does academics until lunch, Mon-Thurs, after lunch are kid chosen electives, and Fridays are fun days they do neato stuff) and that if Ben comes in today then he will be able to join in the fun on Friday.  However, if Ben stays home, when he comes in on Friday he won't be able to do all the fun stuff. Ben decided to go in and ended up having a decent day.

BTW, this morning my sweet Hunny freaked out too in response to Ben's freak out and I was happy to be in a very calm place so that I could help them both.  When I got back,from dropping Ben off, Robert thanked me for being a calming influence (usually not my forte). Robert, it seemed, had so much vested in this new school being so perfect for Ben (which it is) that he figured Ben wouldn't have any meltdowns about it (which is a pipedream).  I told him that we both have to remember that Ben is not fixable. His issues are manageable. Kinda like all of mankind. Our sin is not fixable. It is managed by Christ's redemptive act and God's amazing grace...but it is always there. Freaking out, for Ben, is the rule...NOT the exception. So, I told Robert to see, as exceptional, the times when Ben is happy to go to school, but to fully expect the meltdowns. Eventually, they will slow to an occasional event, but until then we need to buckle up and hold on for our lives because it's going to be a very bumpy ride!

Tonight was the school kick off picnic at Ben's school.  Just he and I went because Robert was working late, Andy was busy, Autumn was at a friends. We took Tivo and he was a huge hit. It was a great idea because I got to meet a bunch of the kids at Ben's school and it confirmed to me that Ben was in the RIGHT place. Lots of prayer has gone into this decision so it's nice to see God give me bits of confirmation here and there about it being the right decision. 

My Hero

So my Hunny (above, I know such a sexah thing) called my dermatologist this morning, after my attempts to get them to help me failed. While being very nice, just persistent, he got them to finally get a pre authorization for the medicine *they* prescribed but that the pharmacy wouldn't fill. I just got a call from Walgreens and the pre-auth went through.  So, now I get to pick my Xyzal and get rid o' these hives. Woo Hoo!  HB, you are my hero. I love you!

Father's Day at our house.

Robert, the father in question, has already posted about his day here.  (Be sure to check out the BCC meter while your there.) However, out of 3 kids, one of whom got a car just a month ago, Robert only got ONE homemade card (he doesn't like store bought ones) and it wasn't from the car recipient.  So, Andrew needs to get punched in the face.  Ben, who made me miss Mass, because he turned into Satan halfway through, said, "I'm not making a card...I hate to make cards." (Can you feel the love??) Therefore he, too, must get punched in the face. But, and this is a big BUT, at the very least, the girlie pulled through with an adorable homemade card brimming with love and devotion to her Dad. I, the wife, made a giant banner that surrounded the kitchen that said, "Happy Father's Day." What can I say...two of my kids suck!

I guess there is hope at recouping some semblance of love for their dad when we have a family carpet picnic and watch Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy tonite. 

(NOTE:  I, unlike many women, am not big on "Days" .  After my mom died almost 8 years ago, Mother's Day lost it's meaning. I'm not big on birthdays, anniversaries, Valentines.  I see them as important but it's that I just hate the big deal that is made over them.  Robert, on the other hand, loves making a big deal out of things. Oy Vay! (I LOVE CHRISTMAS though!)  I just can't handle events. I just want to hang out and enjoy the day. I pretty much loathe planning parties etc...so I don't. My poor daughter; what is she going to do when she gets married?  Maybe she will be my polar opposite and love planning stuff.  See, I am totally spontaneous. I will call people in the afternoon and say, "Why don't you come over, bring the kids, and we will grill out and watch a movie."   I think being an event planner might be the most frightening job I could ever think of doing.)

~Peace, 

From the wife who is more like a husband when it comes to stuff like this....  

Robert and I have both been married THREE times!

To each other! Gotcha!  

Today is the anniversary of our Civil wedding: May 30, 1995.  We had bought our first house and didn't want to live together. Andrew was our only witness.  If you are wondering why Andrew was our only witness then please read this beautiful post.  The 2nd wedding was our Protestant wedding on November 11, 1995.  Andy was our ring bearer.  Our third wedding was at our parish, St. Andrew (yes, I love that it's St. ANDREW) when I was brought into the church and our marriage was convalidated.  That was November 11, 2003.  Our friends Rhett and Kathleen, who were our sponsors and witnesses for our Catholic marriage, gave usa card that said, "If you have married each other 3 times you must be meant to be." 

So, to my Hunny, my very own Prince Charming (even when you are not so charming):

Happy 1st Anniversary of 13 years (feels like 30).

As always you are the

 love of my life, 

lust of my loins, 

guard at my back, 

fabulous dad to all our kids, 

an amazing provider, 

our stalwart supporter, 

my best friend, 

my sexah lovah, 

secret joke sharer, 

coffee co-addict,

and God-given soul mate.

I will forever be the nagging pain in your butt who spends too much money.

"I know you of old" (wink)

Sending  waves of love your way.

Love forever, 

Your Hunniest of Bunnies

My Hunny's really neat post...

...about being a husband...and there is alot of wonderful stuff about me in there (if I do say so myself).  Everything he says is exactly right.  And I think it shows what a thoughtful, loving, Catholic husband he is.  And that he really takes his vocation as a husband seriously.  Lucky me!  I was laughing hystercially when I finished reading it, because there were some hysterical and dead on descriptions of me, but I also felt very loved AND very blessed that God has given me such a wonderful man to share my life with. 

~Peace

Father 'Hen' (I made my hunny take this test)

What type of Mother Hen Are You?
by Montessorimom.com: Educational Resource

In all honesty, I never saw this coming. I don't see him as remotely artistic. He is complaining over my shoulder as I type this. "Of course I am!" he insists. So I probed, "In what possible way are you artistic." This is the answer I just got, "I am always encouraging the kids' artistic endeavors...I am having a ceramic TARDIS being made for me by Tumnal at her pottery class!" He is also reminding me that he has written a book (artistic) and that he planted a tree (that is a stretch) and that he is Ron 'Frickin' Popeil as his patent goes pending next Friday for Elastic Ricochet (sounds like a Band to me). So yeah, I guess when you add his writing, arboring and inventing he is kinda artistic. So, okay, I'll give him Artistic Mother-ahem- Father Hen. I am still the Groovy Mother Hen...so let's not forget about that!

Better late than never! (and scroll down to 2/18/08 entry for more pics of her Birthday!)

Here is a picture of my handsome young King (Robert) and our beautiful little Princess, Autumn, at the annual Father/Daughter Dance hosted by our local TORCH homeschool group.   Last year it was cowboys and cowgirls, but this year it was the King and his Princess and that was right up my  hubby and my girly's alley.  Autumn borrowed the dress, wrap and tiara from her best bud Morgan and Robert rented his outfit from a costume shop that had made it special for a Lord of The Rings wedding.  He looked pretty cool.  The beginning picture is  Autumn showing off her dress and then Robert walked out and surprised her with his very cool outfit.  As you can see she was thrilled.  Apparently, he was the only dad who took the 'attire' seriously.  They had a great time.  The dance, oh excuse me, the Royal Ball was Feb. 16th.  Aren't they both just beautiful!?!

~Peace

He'll Never Wear Sweats to Mass Again

Yesterday Robert wore his LL Bean sweatpants and sweatshirt to Mass. It is a very casual Saturday Vigil Mass and he figured he was fine. I asked him if he was going to wear them, just because he usually wears jeans. But he said he was going as he was and I told him that it didn't matter to me, I was just wondering.

So, we get to church and they are short on Eucharistic Ministers (lay people who have taken a class and become certified to give out the body and blood of Christ after a Priest has consecrated it) and they ask Robert and I to fill in (yes, we are Eucharistic Ministers). Well, you should have seen my Hunny's face! He was mortified that he was dressed in sweats! I was giggling terribly! But it gets better, because it's the Feast of St. Blaise and EM's are also allowed by the Church to help the Priests bless the throats of the parishioners. So, Robert had to get up TWICE during Mass and show off his wonderful attire!

I could not even look at him when we got back to the pew because I kept giggling. What a goofball. Anyway, can I say, that beyond a shadow of a doubt, my sweet Hunny has learned his lesson about slumming it to Mass? YES!

On a side note, I have to say that I am always just filled with love and peace when I get to hand out Our Lord to the faithful...what an amazing privilege. Also, it was REALLY special to bless the throats of the parishioners with the crossed candles. Thankfully, God loves me (and Robert) no matter how we are dressed. We felt very honored.

Okay, well I am now off to CRHP.

~Peace

I could stay here all night

Okay, I have just realized that this will be more fun than I thought.

Tonite was a nice night. A long overdue night of mommy-alone-time. Robert and Autumn went to a Daddy-Daughter Hoedown put on by our Catholic Homeschool group. They looked adorable when they left and the Girlie was so excited to be going to a dance with her daddy. Andy went to a friend's party which turned out to be a sleep-over, and Ben, who is sick, sacked out early. So, I got to watch "In Her Shoes" on TV (free On Demand) . I was excited to sit and watch a chick-flick on my own!! Especially since I had just finished the book. I really love Jennifer Weiner's books. I know I am slow on the uptake here, as her books have been out a few years, but I am now reading "Little Earthquakes".

Well, Daddy and Girlie got home after a fabulous night of square dancing and Autumn even got a beautiful letter from her dad, at the dance, which she had me reread to her when she got home.
All in all it was a fun night...and best of all...I started this blog.

Nitey-Nite.
Rach